Can the setting make for an enjoyable round on a relatively mediocre course?

[Tommy Williamsen]

Recently my wife and I were in South Africa and played a couple of times.  Once was in the Drackensberg mts.  They rise form the floor some five or six thousand vertical feet and are astonishingly beautiful.  We played a rather nondescript course.  The setting, however, was stunning and we thoroughly enjoyed the round. What courses have you played where the setting added so much that the lack of architectural merit was diminished?

[Ryan Coles]

Yes.

Thurlestone.


Taymouth Castle


Fairmont St Andrews


To a lesser extent, Hankley Common. It's very good as it is, but could probably be up there with Walton Heath, St Georges Hill and Sunningdale.

[Jud_T]

Hiking and Birdwatching are cheaper.  Alternatively you can play Old Head for $275...

[Mac Plumart]

For sure, I think the setting can make the day enjoyable on a mediocre course.  Simply being in a tranquil and beautiful setting is enjoyable...pretty sure that is a big part of the reason why people hike.


I think Piedmont Driving Club is a great place to spend the day, but the course won't show up on any Top 100 lists.  But I'll jump at every invitation, because it is just such a beautiful piece of property.

[Michael Graham]

I've not played it for years but Braemar GC in the Scottish highlands has stunning scenery.

I believe Tom Doak gave it a 2 in the CG which is probably about right. The golf definitely takes a backseat to the dramatic views of the mountains.

[noonan]

On the other hand there are great courses now in the ghetto that ruins the entire experience.

[Matthew Petersen]

Oak Creek CC in Sedona would be one. A bland, tree-lined RTJ (Jr and Sr supposedly) course, but with enough views of the rocks that it feels pretty nice.


I suppose you could throw Sedona GC in the same boat; it's also not a good course, but it's certainly a more unique one and it fits the surroundings more. Oak Creek on the other hand feels like someone took a midwestern course and then threw on a Sedona background.

[Rob Marshall]

Portsalon

[Keith OHalloran]

Can you not enjoy a day of golf on a mediocre course if the setting is not good?
I struggle to recall a day when I played golf and did not enjoy it, regardless of the quality of the course.

[BCrosby]

What Keith said.


Bob

[Sean_A]

Is this a dumb blonde thread 


Nefyn, Crail, NB East Links are good examples of courses which are pretty good, but the experience can be much better than that on a nice day. 


Ciao

[Jason Topp]

Old Head has to be the poster child for this concept. 

[Tommy Williamsen]

Is this a dumb blonde thread 


Nefyn, Crail, NB East Links are good examples of courses which are pretty good, but the experience can be much better than that on a nice day. 


Ciao

Interesting Sean,  I didn't even enjoy the experience at Nefyn.  I am glad I saw but it seemed like a long drive to play it.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Old Head has to be the poster child for this concept.

I may be one of the few who thinks that Old Head is pretty good.  I really enjoyed the golf as well as the setting. The inland holes cannot compete with the cliffside ones, but I thought it was a good track.

[Sean_A]

Is this a dumb blonde thread 


Nefyn, Crail, NB East Links are good examples of courses which are pretty good, but the experience can be much better than that on a nice day. 


Ciao

Interesting Sean,  I didn't even enjoy the experience at Nefyn.  I am glad I saw but it seemed like a long drive to play it.

Tommy


Sure, its a joke that Nefyn could be rated top 100 and I am dumfounded that Doak & Co could give it 5 and up  , but on a sunny day Nefyn is quite lovely.


Ciao

[Mike Schott]

Is it OK to put Torrey Pines South in this class? The setting on the ocean and the notoriety make the experience.

[Cameron DeVries]

Morro Bay is one.  The proximity to the ocean and the inland vegetation make an average course a good one. 

[Joe Hancock]

On the other hand there are great courses now in the ghetto that ruins the entire experience.

...of being in the ghetto?

[Scott McWethy]

Pacific Grove Golf Links in California.  Stunning setting with a underwhelming golf course.  Enjoyed the day, but must admit it was primarily due to the surroundings.  It was a great way to disguise a mediocre course.

[Carl Rogers]

Pace of play may be a big determinant for enjoyment.

[Mac Plumart]

On the other hand there are great courses now in the ghetto that ruins the entire experience.

...of being in the ghetto?

 

[Jon Wiggett]

Never had a problem to judge a course on the quality of the course itself rather than the setting. The quality/interest of the challenge offered by the holes certainly supersede the surroundings which is irrelevant and is ahead of conditioning as well. Sure, pretty views are nice but if I am playing golf then its about the company and the golf not the panorama.

Jon

[Mac Plumart]

Jon...


That is such a great point; that it is about the company.


This site is dedicated to the discussion of golf course architecture.  Therefore, many of the threads talk about strategic design, bunker placement, etc.  But I find that 90% of people who play golf rarely take notice of such things.  Most of them want to have an enjoyable day with friends and the next highest reason for their golf enjoyment is playing the game and competing.


So, it is certainly feasible that most golfers could have a great day on a beautiful course that has minimal strategic interest...especially if they are with people whose company they enjoy.

[Peter Pallotta]

Tommy - I'd be interested in knowing: you're a good golfer who has played the game for many years and in many places on some of the greatest courses in the world. For you, at this course in SA, how much did you miss "hitting the (interesting) shots" and "interacting with the (quality) architecture" and "appreciating the (strategic) choices/options" that you've experience at better courses? I guess what I'm asking is: with the lovely scenery and the fine companionship and the sheer pleasure that is golf in and of itself, was your enjoyment *at all diminished* by the relative lack of interesting shots, quality architecture, and strategic choices?
Peter

[BCrosby]

Exactly, Mac.